Episode #302: How Nonna's New York table inspired delicious food adventures in Italy

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Are you fascinated by the stories behind Italian food traditions? Join us as we chat with novelist and Italian food magazine co-founder Andrew Cotto, who shares his journey through Italy’s regions, unforgettable meals, and the power of food to build community and lifelong memories. Discover how Italy’s cuisine keeps travelers coming back and get insider tips on savoring authentic Italian flavors!

Contents

Summary

We are joined, in this episode, by food writer, novelist, and editor-in-chief of Appetito magazine, Andrew Cotto. Together, they delve into his personal journey from his Italian-American upbringing in New York City – where Sunday family lunches and culinary traditions shaped his identity – to his transformative travels and extended stays in Italy. His passion for regional Italian cuisine led him not only to savor but also to write about the rich and diverse food culture, and how the Italian approach to food and community continually inspires his storytelling.

What you'll learn in this episode

Italian-American identity differs greatly from true regional Italian culture. Whilst you’ll learn how traditions brought to the U.S. evolved into a distinct Italian-American identity – especially through food, it’s important to understand that regional Italian cuisine is deeply diverse, tied to place, and often very different from the Italian-American dishes many grew up with
The personal journey that shaped Andrew Cotto’s relationship with food started with early family meals, college restaurant work, and a lot of eating out – all fed into a lifelong passion for food. His experiences during the rise of regional Italian cuisine in New York, along with hosting intimate dinner parties, helped him discover how food creates connection and meaning
Andrew’s first “Italy 101” trip (Venice, Florence, Rome) was so impactful that he was convinced to move to Tuscany with his wife and young daughter. Daily life immersed in local traditions, from shopping at markets, weekend road trips, and meeting artisans, deepened his understanding of Italy’s regional products and rhythm of life
Andrew explains his evolution from writing novels with incidental food themes to crafting food-centric fiction like Cucina Typica and Cucina Romana, where Italian cuisine shapes character and plot. You’ll also learn how his journalism for major publications and the founding of Appetito Magazine grew from a desire to celebrate Italian food stories that weren’t being told
The conversation explores how shared meals preserve family traditions, unify communities, and reflect centuries of history – from artisanal food regulations to the cultural belief that eating well is a basic right. You’ll hear vivid examples, from truffle feasts in Piemonte to meals with famed butcher Dario Cecchini, showing how landscapes, producers, and people come together to create Italy’s most meaningful food experiences

Timeline Overview

03:58 How early Italian American food traditions shaped a lifelong connection for Andrew to family, flavor, and the deeper meaning behind Italian cuisine
11:04 How storytelling, novels, and the creation of Apetito Magazine grew from a passion for regional Italian food and the culture that surrounds it
21:56 Essential insights into dining in Italy, from effortless everyday meals to unforgettable moments like truffles, celebrations, and communal tables
27:12 The importance of craftsmanship – in cooking, writing, and gathering around food – and how it creates deeper connections and richer travel experiences
32:05 Exploring Italy through its landscapes and flavors, from coastal seafood traditions to discovering regions like Umbria and Le Marche through food-driven travel

About our guest – Andrew Cotto

Andrew Cotto is an award-winning novelist and the Co-founder & Editor-in-Chief of Appetito magazine, a digital publication dedicated to Italian cuisine and lifestyle. As a journalist, he has written extensively for The New York Times, Men's Journal, Rachael Ray In Season, Parade, the Good Men Project, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Italy magazine, La Cucina Italiana and more. As an Italian food expert, Andrew regularly appears on major television networks and at venerable locations throughout the US. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Andrew's books:

Cucina Typica

Cucina Romana

Follow Andrew here

Follow Apetito magazine here

Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned

Places

Bagno a Ripoli – a town and commune between Florence and Chianti
Macelleria Cecchini – a famous butchers' shop in Panzano run by the world-renowned Dario Checcini
Cibreo – run by Fabio Picchi, a legendary Florentine chef and restaurateur, celebrating authentic Tuscan cuisine. Fabio passed away in 2022, but his family continues his legacy
Ascoli Piceno – charming town in Le Marche, known as the Travertine City
San Benedetto del Tronto – town near Ascoli Piceno, situated on the coast and the mouth of the Tronto River
Rapallo – town on the Italian Riviera, Liguria
Ancona – the main city of the Le Marche region
Aix en Provence – town in the Provence region of France
Roero – wine region in Piedmont not far from Le Langhe and Monferrato

Food / Drink

Tajarin pasta (Tagliolini in Italian) – a ribbon pasta, halfway between spaghetti and tagliatelle (great with a ragu)
Rosso de Conero – full-bodied red wine from Le Marche
Rosso Piceno – red wine with the largest DOC area within the Marche region
Pecorino – fabulous white wine from Marche
Donnafugata – large, wine producer in Sicily
Fiasconaro – Panettone makers in Sicily
Arneis – a white wine grape from Piedmont. Almost lost, it is now having a revival

Words / Concepts

Lidia Bastianich – American chef and restaurateur specialising in Italian regional food
La Cucina Italiana – a monthly food magazine, first published in Milan in 1929, it had a US version that folded during the pandemic, though still with an online presence
Appetito Italian Food and Drink – the Italian food magazine that Andrew co-founded
fattoria – a farm

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Episode #302: How Nonna’s New York table inspired delicious food adventures in Italy